Matthew and Cori Maple had long dreamed of establishing a nonprofit organization to help veterans. An Army veteran himself, Matthew finally got the opportunity to do so this holiday season. News Channel 11 of Fort Wayne, Indiana reported that the Maples' "Clothes for Joes," though new, has already made a big impact of local veterans.
"I've had a few friends that I served with that ended up being homeless throughout the years," Matthew told the news station. "Being around the homeless population, knowing what's out there, knowing how many of those guys are actually veterans – it breaks my heart to see guys who gave their life for our country have nothing."
Rather than sit around and do nothing, Matthew and Cori took action. They put a flyer for donations up on Facebook, and before long their local Texas Roadhouse pledged its support. According to News Channel 11, two trucks were required to transport nearly 100 coats to the local shelter.
"The day we took it over there, it was probably five or 10 vets outside," Matthew recalled. "Just some of their reactions … to see guys break down in tears and overwhelmed with happiness and joy. To see these guys get the gratification of knowing that someone is doing this for [them], made it all worthwhile."
The Maples weren't the only ones who made collecting coats for veterans their mission. In Reading, Massachusetts, the Reading Fire Fighters Association made sure that Alex Reinoso of the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center had plenty of winter gear to carry back to the men and women he serves after dropping by the fire station on Dec. 22.
Altogether, Reading Patch reported, the firefighters delivered 47 coats – both brand new and very lightly used – as well as 57 new hats and 23 new pairs of gloves. Not to exclude the veterans' children, more than 20 toys were also delivered to the outreach center.